The turkey might be the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving table, but let’s be honest: It’s the sides that make the meal feel like a true celebration. Over the years, our team has built up quite a collection of Thanksgiving-worthy favorites, including all kinds of iterations of the holiday essentials: spuds, green beans, squash, corn and more. Here are some of our very best Thanksgiving sides to round out your feast.
And for more Thanksgiving inspiration beyond sides, be sure to explore our guides to turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, breads, gravy, drinks and desserts.
Mashed Potatoes With Manchego and Olive Oil
Pictured above. Creamy mashed potatoes are a must-have on Thanksgiving, and this recipe more than delivers. “They’re the glue that binds [the meal] all together,” writes features reporter Maura Judkis. “Imbued with roasted garlic, and mashed with olive oil, heavy cream and Manchego cheese, they’re a more indulgent and flavorful version of the dish that many families already make.” Get the recipe.
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes ‘Duchesse’
Coming from our latest Thanksgiving menu, this dish is a mash-up of two Post recipes: a 1975 recipe for buttermilk mashed potatoes and Julia Child’s 1967 recipe for Pommes de Terre Duchesse, an old-school French dish. The result? An irresistible, festive bake. Get the recipe.
More potatoes: Twice-Baked Potatoes; Mashed Potatoes With Roasted Garlic; Essential Mashed Potatoes; Garlicky Roast Potato Mash; Cheddar Potato au Gratin; Hasselback Potatoes; Air Fryer Baked Potatoes.
Sweet Potato Salad With Orange-Maple Dressing
This chunky sweet potato salad serves as a lighter and brighter alternative to the traditional sugary yams served on Thanksgiving. Get the recipe.
Bruce’s Yam Mallow Casserole With Pineapple and Cinnamon
For many families, marshmallow-topped yams are a Thanksgiving mainstay. This casserole is a modified version of the recipe found on the side of a can of Bruce’s Yams, but with less sugar and the addition of pineapple and cinnamon for extra brightness, warmth and depth. Get the recipe.
More sweet potatoes: Candied Sweet Potatoes; Sweet Potato Casserole; Mashed Sweet Potatoes in Orange Cups; Sweet Potato Puree With Roasted Garlic; Skillet Sweet Potatoes With Brown Butter and Sage; Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Pie.
Green Beans With Oranges and Almonds
Sautéing green beans yields a combination of soft-and-charred and crisp-tender textures. Almonds provide crunch, while oranges add a sweet, citrus twist to the dish. Get the recipe.
French’s Green Bean Casserole With From-Scratch Mushroom Sauce
When it comes to green bean casserole, we like to respect tradition but also kick things up a notch. This one is based on the recipe from the French’s Crispy Fried Onions package but with a homemade cream of mushroom sauce (instead of canned) and crisp green beans. Get the recipe.
More green beans: Green Bean and Sesame Seed Salad; Crunchy Green Beans With Almonds and Dates; Brown Butter Green Beans; Green Bean and Radicchio Salad With Walnuts; Zippy Green Beans; Sicilian Green Bean Salad With Herbs and Toasted Almonds.
Roasted Butternut Squash With Crumbled Chickpeas
Dress up your roasted butternut squash with a savory shallot vinaigrette, crumbled spiced chickpeas and olive-oil-fried breadcrumbs. Get the recipe.
Butternut Squash and Apple Gratin
This gratin features a combination of sweet, firm apples and tender butternut squash topped with a garlicky breadcrumb mixture, resulting in a luxe side that’s both sweet and savory. Get the recipe.
More squash: Glazed Squash Medley; Phyllo Galette with Butternut Squash, Feta and Olives; Roasted Butternut Squash and Red Onion With Tahini and Za’atar; Roasted Squash With Yogurt and Spiced, Buttered Pistachios; Roasted Acorn Squash With Pumpkin Seeds and Pomegranate.
Creamed Corn
A comforting Southern staple, this recipe can be made up to four days in advance and works with both fresh and frozen corn kernels. Get the recipe.
More corn: Corn pudding; Corn Spoonbread With Goat Cheese and Chives; Yemeni Cornbread; Corn Souffles; Caramelized Corn and Sumac Over Labneh; Cheesy Corn Casserole; Quick Corn Gratin.
Macaroni and Cheese With Parmesan Breadcrumbs
Velveeta, balanced with smoked Gouda and sharp cheddar, is what gives this macaroni and cheese its extra-smooth texture. “If you’re looking for a creamy, dreamy macaroni and cheese with a golden, cheesy, herby topping, this is it,” explains staff writer Aaron Hutcherson. Get the recipe.
More mac: Patti LaBelle’s Mac and Cheese; Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese; Green Chile Mac; Tim’s Macaroni and Cheese; Soul Food Macaroni and Cheese; Mushroom and Spinach Macaroni and Cheese.
Miso-Orange Glazed Carrots
Miso, maple syrup and orange play well with carrots’ sweet and savory flavors. This elegant side comes together in one skillet in under a half-hour, making it a quick and easy crowd-pleaser. Get the recipe.
More carrots: Honey-Roasted Carrots With Carrot-Top Chimichurri; Carrot and Orange Salad; Roasted Carrots With Ayib and Awaze Vinaigrette.
Brussels Sprouts With Pomegranate, Feta and Roasted Shallot Dressing
Bring some colorful cheer to the table with these sweet and salty pomegranate-and feta-speckled sprouts. Get the recipe.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts With Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette
Oven space is a hot commodity on Thanksgiving Day, so save yourself some trouble and put the air fryer to work. The kitchen gadget gives these lemon- and honey-glazed Brussels sprouts a beautifully brown and crispy exterior. Get the recipe.
More Brussels sprouts: Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Apple Salad; Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Apple and Sunflower Seeds; Roasted Brussels Sprout Leaves With Pecorino; Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower Slaw With Oranges; Smoky White Beans and Brussels Sprouts; Caramelized Brussels Sprouts and Lentil Salad; Best Brussels Sprouts Ever.
Scalloped Root Casserole
Tender potatoes, butternut squash and golden beets get the scalloped treatment in this dinner-party-ready dish. Get the recipe.
Vegan Braised Collard Greens With Miso and Smoked Paprika
Miso and smoked paprika are a dream team here, infusing the silky braised collard greens with a deep umami. Get the recipe.
More greens: Marinated Greens; Mustard Greens and Pecan Pesto; Greek Mixed Greens Pie With Phyllo Crust; Collard Greens.
The post Our best Thanksgiving sides, including mashed potatoes and green beans
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